2025 a Year of Highs and Lows

2025 a year where my husband has had constant undiagnosed pain in his lower back. The DVT from my trip to Canada had me wearing compression stockings for 6 months.  A friend has been lost. Two friends have had to take the breast cancer road with dear Liz also requiring heart surgery. The world hasn't been a peaceful place. Through all this, nature and friendships have been spirit lifting. 

I am still quite time poor at present. Two big photobook projects need to be completed by April. I have hardly started. The rainbow caught my attention, as I sat down to sift through my photos to select one for each month. A quick decision was made to make this year's focus, the sky.

January - after the storm.

February - after Cyclone Alfred.

March - a bear with full moon eye.

April - a stunning sunrise.

May - a wonderful day spent with my brother, concluded with this tranquil sunset.

June - the joy of sunset on Prince Edward Island.

July - summer sky Prince Edward Island. The morning fog still trying to lift at midday.

August - a foggy, full moon setting at Girraween National Park.

September - the bliss of watching the sun rise on the family farm at Afterlee.

October - Lennox Heads sunset after a perfect day of walking, relaxing and watching the waves roll in.

November - a spectacular sunset after a massive thunderstorm.

December - the only month where there was only one choice. 

The 5.51 am sunrise on Christmas morning, was one of calm beauty. Thankfully the birds were not their usual raucus selves! A special dawn for a special day.

I have been wanting to share the following two pics for some time.  Not long after seeing the moose 

car washing, my Instagram friend in far western Queensland on a vast property, posted the pics of calves washing her dusty ute.

AUSSIE CAR WASH

As the sun sets on another year, I send peace, love and joy to you and your loved ones. Find time to soak up nature's amazing beauty.

I would love to read your comment.

The Hungry Hikers Celebrate

 5 am, Wednesday 17 December.

The 13th year of the Hungry Hikers hiking came to a close. It was another fabulous year of fun, laughter, food, bubbles, posing and hiking. 

We are still managing to find the occasional new trail/ suburban walk. We still have the same enthusiasm but we noted last year that the distance covered was getting shorter. It was getting too easy to stop for lunch or coffee break. Our ages range from 68 to, two of us nearly 75. We want to be enjoying walking for as long as possible, so after 2025 started with 2 short outings, the decision was made that 2025 would be the year of 10 kilometre plus walks.

A grand total of 534 kilometres has been achieved on our weekly adventures. The lovely Leanne, walked 489 of those. 

I have been recording our hikes and distances from Day 1. 'The Bible' is often referred to when someone says, I haven't done this hike before! Usually they have. At the end of each year, I produce the stats of what we have achieved and how far we have managed to hike around Australia. It is such a big country, that our 500 plus this year took us nowhere in the vastness of Western Australia. We aren't going to manage to complete a circumnavigation, but Perth is now our goal.

As mentioned in a previous post, Joc and I found this secluded spot on the Brisbane River, overlooking the city, for our celebration. 

Our group is exceptional in that we can create amazing events with the least amount of fuss and bother. Arriving at 5 am, we were soon sitting relaxed with this supurb view of a still sleeping river and city.

The food was delicious.

Joc always organises a Christmas photo shoot. This year the theme was Christmas hats and glasses.

Each small gift was celebrated.

You may or may not have noticed [ 😂 ]  that we loved to pose. Our Christmas pose has to be the champion of the year!

There was much laughter as we tried to sort out our arms.

The best of each month of the year.

 Thank you to all my lovely friends who visit here each week and who also take me their special part of our wonderful world.

I wish you all a Christmas of peace and love.

I would love to read your comment.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

Christmas Down Under

Hot, sweaty, busy, colourful, tiring but wonderfully enjoyable sharing the time with friends. 

3 December - The Hungry Hikers were only 3 for our city river walk starting in the Southbank Parklands. Here the "North Pole has come to Brisbane - giant elves were on the loose, swapping snow for sunshine and spreading festive cheer." 

Read Whitney's blurb.

Now on the opposite shore to Southbank, we spotted Whitney resting.

We shared a walk of 10 km and then went our own ways. I had time to check out the city decorations.

The Christmas tiny doors are again along The Mall.

Friday evening 5 December, the Hungry Hikers attended the Lord Mayor's Christmas High Tea and concert.

A lovely stroll through Southbank followed, after crossing the Neville Bonner Bridge.

A visit to rooftop bar of the Emporium was a fitting finale to a lovely evening together. One expensive cocktail each was enjoyed, looking out over our colourful city.

Sunday 7 December, I took my cousin to City Hall for the 4MBS Classical Radio Christmas Spectacular Concert. Mirusia of Andre Rieu fame, was the star of the afternoon. [a Brisbane lass] The finale was the magnificent Halleljah Chorous.

Tuesday 9 December  - The Gaiter Girls chose an evening walk in the city starting at Southbank.

The following day the Hungry Hikers were back in town by 7am. Our walk of 13 km took us through Southbank, The kangaroo Point Cliffs Foot bridge, Post Office Square, Anzac Square and Wickham Terrace to the Roma Street Gardens.

Yes, we love Whitney

A decorated Council Bus

Roma Street Gardens.

The dalhias were stunning but of a minature variety.

Arriving at Victoria Park. Once a golf course, now public parkland that may become the centre for the 2032 Olympics. They need to hurry up with this decision.

Joc is having trouble getting the ball to stay near the hole and not roll back down to her feet! We all had the same trouble. Lots of laughter.

A hole in one for Jayne!

A fabulous Christmas theme for a merry couple of hours.

The final hole.

A short bus ride had us back in the city. We walked via the Mall and Adelaide Arcade to Central Station.

Friday evening we hosted the annual Christmas meal with our good friends, Joc, Jan and Tony.

Time to make Christmas floating lights.

Celebrating with a Bombe Alaska dessert.

Our home is ready for friends to pop in.

The now, annual tradition of adding Ben and Nora to our tree, has taken place under their direction.

We have Elf Ben McFrosty Pants and Elf Nora McAngel Toes adorning the tree.

Back on Prince Edward Island they have frosty, snowy, windy, cold weather, but they are enjoying the excitement of the approach of Santa's visit.

Only 10 days to Christmas. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family during this time.

I would love to read your comment.